Ezekiel 5:16

16 when I shall send into them the worst arrows of hunger, that shall bear death; and which I shall send, that I lose you (when I shall send into you the worst arrows of famine, that shall carry death; and which I shall send, so that I destroy you). And I shall gather hunger [up]on you, and I shall all-break in you the firmness of bread.

Ezekiel 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 5:16

When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famines
Either famine itself, which is as an arrow; it is taken out of the quiver of the Lord of hosts, and is shot by him; and moves swiftly when it has a commission; and is very destructive: or arrows which bring on a famine, such as drought, excessive rains, blasting, mildew, locusts, &c. or arrows which the famine brings, as leanness, faintness, blackness, and death; and, in either sense, are evil ones; and are sent of God for the following end: which shall be for [their] destruction, [and] which I will send to
destroy you;
God's design in sending them was to destroy, and that was answered; and a very destroying arrow famine is, and therefore called evil: and I will increase the famine upon you;
or "gather ^F25 [it] upon", or "against you"; as if it was an army with bows and arrows: and will break your staff of bread:
take away the virtue from the little they had, that that should not nourish and satisfy; (See Gill on Ezekiel 4:16).

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mkyle Poa) "famen congregabo, super vos", V. L. Pagninus; "famen colligam super vos", Montanus, Polanus, Starckius.

Ezekiel 5:16 In-Context

14 And I shall give thee into desert, [and] into shame to heathen men that be in thy compass, in the sight of each that passeth forth. (And I shall make thee into desolation, and into shame to the heathen who be all around thee, and before each person who passeth by.)

15 And thou shalt be shame and blasphemy, ensample and wondering, among heathen men that be in thy compass, when I shall make dooms in thee, in strong vengeance, and indignation, and in blamings of ire. I the Lord have spoken, (And thou shalt be shame and blasphemy, and example and wondering, among the heathen who be all around thee, when I shall bring in judgements, or pass sentence, upon thee, in strong vengeance, and indignation, and in blamings of anger. I the Lord have spoken,)

16 when I shall send into them the worst arrows of hunger, that shall bear death; and which I shall send, that I lose you (when I shall send into you the worst arrows of famine, that shall carry death; and which I shall send, so that I destroy you). And I shall gather hunger [up]on you, and I shall all-break in you the firmness of bread.

17 And I shall send into you hunger, and worst beasts, till to the death; and pestilence and blood shall pass by thee, and I shall bring in [a] sword on thee; I the Lord spake. (And so I shall send into you famine, and evil, or wild, beasts, unto the death; and pestilence and blood, or slaughter, shall pass through thee, and I shall bring in a sword upon thee; I the Lord spoke.)